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 July 2025
Welcome to the city of Clearwater’s sustainability and resiliency newsletter!
This quarterly newsletter aims to serve as a communication tool for progress made on Greenprint 2.0, the city’s Sustainability Action Plan and sustainability-related events, programs, volunteer opportunities and tips.
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 Clearwater Celebrates America Event: Let's Talk About Recycling!
 During major events like Clearwater Celebrates America, it is common to generate a lot of waste. We are taking this opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of proper disposal. Our team will be at the recycling tent to share how to improve your recycling routine and answer any questions. Clearwater’s "Simplify to 5" initiative aims to increase proper recycling by focusing on the five main accepted and contamination-free materials. Join us at Clearwater Celebrates America!
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Mayors' Monarch Pledge
 The city of Clearwater has signed the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors' Monarch Pledge, officially committing to take meaningful actions to help save the declining monarch butterfly. This fall, the city will issue a Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Day Proclamation, encouraging residents to make a difference by planting native milkweed and nectar plants to provide habitat for the monarch and pollinators. The seed library at both Countryside and Clearwater East Community libraries have added monarch-friendly swamp milkweed, coreopsis and blazing star to their collections. Patrons can check out up to three seed packs at a time and are not required to return anything to the library.
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Big Cleanup Clearwater
 Mark your calendars for the 2025 Big Cleanup Clearwater! This year’s event will be Nov. 14-22, with site registrations opening in early fall. Follow our social media accounts to stay informed and help make a difference in our community. Don’t forget, the city and Keep Pinellas Beautiful host monthly cleanups on Clearwater Beach on the second Friday of the month.
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Solar Celebration for Clearwater Municipal Solar Projects
 In June, the city of Clearwater celebrated the completion of a new rooftop solar energy system at Morningside Recreation Center—one of four municipal sites receiving solar through $2 million in America Rescue Plan Act-related funding. City leaders, staff, contractors, Environmental Advisory Board members and the public gathered to highlight the project’s environmental and economic benefits.
The 326-panel system is expected to save more than $26,000 annually on electricity costs and is eligible for a 30 percent rebate through the IRS Elective Pay program.
We want to give a special shoutout to Tom Wojtkiw, Clearwater’s Building & Maintenance Division Manager, for all his hard work and dedication to these projects!
Pictured (left to right): Sustainability Specialist Melody Yin, Building & Maintenance Division Manager Tom Wojtkiw, Sustainability & Environmental Manager Cassie Cordova, City Councilmember David Allbritton, City Manager Jennifer Poirrier, Mayor Bruce Rector, and Assistant City Manager Dan Slaughter
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Switch Together!
 Registration has closed for the inaugural Switch Together group solar-buying program led by Solar United Neighbors. Clearwater had 179 sign-ups and 37 participants pay the deposit for an installer consultation. Although just three percent of the regional population (Dunedin, Largo, St. Pete, Tampa, Clearwater, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Sarasota County and Tarpon Springs), Clearwater made up 19 percent of all registrations, demonstrating strong local interest in solar energy.
Though registration is closed, residents can still get free solar help by contacting Solar United Neighbor’s Help Desk.
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Earth Day at Moccasin Lake
 Clearwater celebrated Earth Day at Moccasin Lake Nature Park on April 26. Special thanks to Lloyd Simmons (nature park coordinator), our Parks & Recreation staff and our many volunteers who made this event possible.
Pictured (left to right): Sustainability Intern Chloe Tucker, Mayor Bruce Rector, and Sustainability & Environmental Manager Cassie Cordova
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Arbor Day Tree Giveaway
 The city of Clearwater celebrated its 43rd year as a Tree City USA with the annual Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway on April 26. The Public Works Department gave away 1850 trees including live oak, red maple, crape myrtles, walters viburnum, bottlebrush, simpson stopper, silver buttonwood, green buttonwood and many others. Literature was provided on proper tree planting, “Right Tree, Right Place," and the benefits of planting trees. Shout out to Ali Ismailoski (right-of-way manager) for all of his work planning this event!
Pictured (left to right) : Cassie Cordova, Steve Ussery, Tara Kivett, Ali Ismailoski, Jeremy Alleshouse, Mayor Bruce Rector, Patrick Pothier, Timothy Chaplinsky, Nathan Brigman and Randy Pothier.
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Collaborating for Clearwater: Enhancing Tourism & Stewardship
 City of Clearwater teamed up with Keep Pinellas Beautiful to host Collaborating for Clearwater on May 7, at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center. The event aimed for tourism businesses and stakeholders to learn more about the KPB Hospitality Eco-Partnership program and share sustainability best practices. It included networking, conservation organizations and featured speakers from Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the city of Clearwater, Amplify Clearwater, Florida Sea Grant, the USF Hospitality & Tourism Management Program and Keep Pinellas Beautiful.
Pictured: Cassie Cordova, sustainability & environmental manager (left) and Graham Donaldson, marine and aviation assistant manager
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Celebrating World Oceans Day at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
On June 7, city staff participated in the World Oceans Day event at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This important day highlights the vital role oceans play in our lives, as well as ways we can support marine ecosystems. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from other organizations and share with residents and visitors what the city of Clearwater has been doing to protect our environment.
Pictured: Kelsy Johnson, volunteer specialist (left) and Melody Yin, sustainability specialist
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 Extreme Heat and Resilient Clearwater
 Our recently completed citywide vulnerability assessment created a digital twin of Clearwater. It is a virtual model that integrated transportation, infrastructure, housing and demographics, to assess exposure to climate threats, including flooding, sea-level rise, rainfall and extreme heat. Using this model, we simulated how people move through the city and how climate disruptions, like heat waves, can affect daily life. The results are clear: heat is becoming one of Clearwater’s most urgent challenges.
What’s Changing?
Clearwater may experience an increase in days reading higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit over the next 75 years.
Here are a few simple but powerful ways you can help beat the heat by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city:
Reduce Indoor Heat
- Increase the A/C temperature in your home or office
- Use smaller appliances, such as microwaves, air fryers or toaster ovens instead of ovens
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
- Plant a pollinator garden to attract wildlife
- Practice xeriscaping, i.e., planting native and drought tolerant plants that don’t require irrigation
Climate-Friendly Commuting
- Use active transportation, such as walking or biking
- Reduce driving by carpooling or trip chaining by combining errands into an efficient loop
Energy Efficiency at Home
- Upgrade to Energy Star appliances when appropriate
- Unplug appliances and devices when not in use to avoid phantom energy
This summer, Clearwater’s sustainability team will be at various city events giving away cooling swag items. Together, we can beat the heat and ensure Clearwater stays safe, cool and livable for all.
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 Apply for Clean Energy Tax Credits
 Clearwater’s municipal energy savings program continues to deliver impressive results, achieving an overall 14 percent reduction in energy use and a total cost avoidance of more than $2.8 million. After accounting for program costs since its launch in April 2022, the city has achieved a net cost savings of $1.55 million.
The program concluded its third year, with an average monthly reduction of 32 percent in natural gas use, 12 percent in electricity use, and 4 percent in water and irrigation use compared to the baseline year.
During Cenergistic Energy Specialist Fabian Uribe's monthly audit presentation, the below city facilities stood out for their outstanding energy reduction efforts in April 2025 compared to 2024. Kudos to the city staff at the following locations for their commitment to energy efficiency:
- Parks and Beautification Complex reduced electricity use by 27 percent
- Public Utilities Complex reduced electricity use by 16 percent
- North Greenwood Rec reduced electricity use by 16 percent
- Gas Sales reduced electricity use by 13 percent
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CONTACT THE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM
If you have questions about the city's sustainability or resiliency programs, email our sustainability team: Sustainability Manager, Cassie Cordova and Sustainability Specialist Melody Yin.
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